Envelope moistener and closer



Feb. 23, 1932. G. KALENOFF ENVELOPE MO ISTENER AND CLOSER Filed June 11', 1950 INVENTOR flua/gZfl/enfljj ATTORNEY WITN ESSES awry 4 M Patented Feb. 23, 1932 UNETED STATS rrs GODEL KALENOFF, OF BROOKLYN, YORK ENVELOPE MOISTENERAN D GLOSER Application filed June 11,

This invention relates to an envelope moistener and closer.

An object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which permits the combined operation of moistening and closing the flap of an envelope rapidly and efficiently, so that a large number of envelopes may be closed and sealed in a remarkably short space of time.

A further object is to provide means of this character which prevents soiling the hands of the user, and where the operation of moistening and sealing can be made most efficient.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts, all of which'will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved moistener and font, the position of an envelope being shown in dot and dash lines;

Figure 2 is a view in transverse section through the font and through the envelope, showing my improved device in operating position, pressing the flap of the envelope on the moistening surface of the font;

Figure 3 is a top plan view illustrating the position of the parts when sealing the envelope flap; 1

Figure 4 is an end view of my improved tool which performs the pressure function in connection with the moistening and sealing operation; and

Figures 5 is a plan view of the font with the cover removed.

My invention has particularly to do with an improved tool illustrated generally by the reference character A, which functions in co-operation with an improved font B to carry out the operation of moistening and sealing an envelope.

The tool A, which, of course, may be made of any suitable material, comprises a bar 1, having a handle or grip portion 2 at one end. A wiper plate 3 is fixed to the under face of the bar 2 and is bevelled at one; edge, as shown at 4, so as to make the same to slide 1930. Serial No. 460,507.

freely over the flap'of the envelopeand force the flap to closing position.

I On what may be termed the upper face of the bar 1, a roller 5 is mounted and this'roller is preferably of tapering or truncated conical form, and a second roller 6 is'mounted at one side of the'bar 1. To afford mounting forthese rollers 5 and 6 and space them sufficlently from the bar 1, I employ suitable. brackets or supports 7 and 8, respectively, '60 on which trunnions 9 on the endsof therespe ctive rollers have free turning movement.

I The font B above referred to is supported upon a bar 10 which may constitute a wiper, the front edge of which is bevelled, as shown at 11, so that this bar or base ofthe font may be used as a wiper as desired, and a handle 12 is fixedL to one end of'the bar or plate.

The font Bis adapted to contain water or other liquid, as illustrated by referencem V character13, and a moistening member 14 is supported in the upper portion of the font and'has a raised exposure portion 15'whic'h conforms-to the general shapeor contour of the mucilaged portion of the flap of an envelope. This me'mberlt has finger-receiving recesses 16, 17 at its edges so as to permit the same to be grasped andreversed, and

made to contact with the liquid 18 inthe font to moisten the same whenever desired.

A removable cover 18 is located on the font, and has a slot 19 exposing the raised portion 15 of the moistener. By reason of this arrangement-of slot and raised portion of the I moistener, a space 20 is provided on the cover receiving that portion of the envelope flap where moisture is not desired, thus supplying a rest for the'fiap of the envelope while being moistened. An envelope is illustrated generally by the reference character 21, and

is provided with the ordinary mucilaged flap 22. V r

In operation, the inner face of the envelope flap is located on the raised portion 15, and 7 the tool A is moved transversely of the font with the rollers 5 and 6 operatingto press the mucilaged portion of the envelope flap against the moistening surface so as to apply the necessary moisture to the mucilaged surface. The envelope is then reversed 1n" position, and the wiper 3 is moved transversely of the envelope causing the flap to move downward, and by reason of the pressure of the tool the flap-will be neatly and accurately sealed.

The motions of the tool A in carrying out the sealing and closing of theenvelope can be easily and quickly performed. The handle 2 of the tool is gripped in the right handof the user, and by a back-hand motion the rollers 5 and 6 press the mucilaged portion of the flap against the font, and then when the envelope is reversed a movement-of the tool in the opposite direction, with the wiper 3 located against the flap,will cause 'the envelop'e to beiquickly sealed. The operator, therefore, manipulates the-ienvelope with the left hand (and with the right hand hemawnipulates 'the tool, sothat by quick movevments the envelope can be readily moistened andsealed.

A device of this character not only func- Ttionsto perfectly seal the envelope but increases thespread 0f such-operation so-that :a large numberof envelopes-may be .sealed "in a short time.

The .-roller 15 is preferably tapering, as

above stated, so that it readily finds its proper resting place orangularrrelation to the font in pressing the-envelope flap thereon, and the roller 6 constitutes 'a-follower which insures a quick moistening with proper pressure as,-of-course, it is understood-that oth rollers are pressing against the fenvelopeflap at the same time.

While I have illustrated what I believe to be the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be distinctly understood that various slight changes may "be made with regardtothe form and arrangement of-parts withoutdeparting from my invention, and

hence I do not limit myself to the precise details set forth but consider myself at libxertyto makesuch changes and alterations as fairly fall within the rspiritland scope'of the claim. 7 I r What I claim is:

A device of the character-described comprisinga bar :adapted to be grasped at one end by the hand ofithe'user, a longitudinal- 21y extending roller-connected to'the bar,and spaced therefrom, a second roller connected to the bar extending longitudinally thereof and spaced from the first mentioned roller,

zone of said rollers tapering longitudinally and both of said rollers adapted to press an envelope flap against a moistener.

GODEL KA LENOFF. 

